Anti Repression Day: Army brutalities under the shadow of draconian Act AFSPA highlighted

Manipur observed the Anti Repression Day at Lamyanba Sanglen today in commemoration to the landmark agitation on July 15, 2004 where 12 mothers staged naked protest at the western gate of Kangla in Imphal against brutality of the security forces.

The brave ladies of Manipur shouted slogans - “Indian Army Rape Us Kill Us”, “We are all Manorama’s mother” when they took out their clothes in front of the Indian Security force protesting the rape of Th. Manorama by Indian army.

The observance was organised by the observation committee on Anti-Repression Day,2019.

Addressing the observance, Convener of Observation Committee P. Sobita reminded the history of Manipur after the colonial era how Manipur being a sovereign nation having its own constitution with its democratic solution merged into India.

She highlighted how Manipur became a dependent state in every aspect socially economically, violating various human rights by the government after being merged to India.

Sobita further added that the draconian law Armed Forces Special Power Act 1958 where several human rights organisation around the world opposed and demanded to repeal it immediately was imposed to Manipur.

After 1980 under this draconian act thousands of people of the state were murdered, raped, make the body disappears, she added.

She said that more than 1500 cases of extrajudicial execution were there and several security forces were under trial for it.

A tragic incident took place on 11 July 2004 where Thangjam Manorama was brutally raped and murdered by Indian Army. As a strong protest against such inhumane act 12 mothers staged naked protest at western gate of Kangla thereby removing the Assam Rifle’s camp from Kangla because of the incident, Sobita added.

She concluded to fight unitedly against the draconian AFSPA.

Speaking as a resource person Executive Director of Human Rights Alert Babloo Loitangbam lauded various activities played by the 12 mothers. He said that the mothers of the land have been taking a vital role where they stand in the frontline fighting against the cruel laws imposed by the government.

Babloo stressed that today is a phase of taking over the activities by new generation from old generation. How to sustain the movement initiated by the mothers is a point to ponder by the new generations.

The killings were halted to a certain degree by the movement of the mothers after incident of Sanjit and Rabina.

He also highlighted the wrong doings of the security forces as per the report of the Supreme Court.

Babloo further said that a report with five primary issues will be brought up to the UN on July 19 2019. The report will focus on suspension of right to life; lack of effective remedy, non recognition of ethnic minorities, plundering of natural resources and political right to self determination, he added.

Floral tributes were paid to the two deceased mother namely Loitam Ibotombi and Mutum Ibemhal who took part in the naked protest.

A souvenir named Road to defiance anti Repression day was also released on the observation.

Consultative member of UCM RK Ranendrajit, President of AMWJU Bijoy Kakchingtabam, Former Dean of Human and Environmental Science Prof W. Nabakumar, Chairperson of the observation committee Anti Repression day Kh. Anandi, Former Dean of School of Social Science Prof Ksh Bimola were the presidium members of the occasion.

Chingkheinganba has been a journalist for more than 4+ years and is popular among the team for his reporting style. In his spare time, he teaches kids from his locality. He and his parents reside in Singjamei Chingamakha Kshetri Leikai . He holds a Masters Degree in Mass Communication from Manipur University. Chingkheinganba is available via email at [email protected]